The Russian Kynological Federation (RKF) is Russia's national organization for pedigree dogs. According to press reports, it registers more than 240,000 puppies a year across 273 breeds. At the end of 2025 it named the most popular breeds of the year. The German Spitz came first, ahead of the Chihuahua and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
We could not find the RKF's own publication, so this list follows press reports of its announcement, including the news agency TASS. No registration counts were given. Like other kennel club lists, it reflects pedigree dogs recorded by the RKF, not the number of dogs of each breed living in Russia. Mixed breeds and dogs without RKF papers are not part of it.
Top 10 breeds in 2025
No. 1: German Spitz
A fluffy, alert spitz in several sizes, the smallest of which is known as the Pomeranian.
No. 2: Chihuahua
The smallest recognized breed: bold, loyal and closely attached to its favorite person.
No. 3: Pembroke Welsh Corgi
A short-legged, sturdy herding dog with a fox-like face, alert and more athletic than it looks.
No. 4: Poodle
Rose two places to No. 4; press reports of the RKF announcement link this to city living, the Poodle's intelligence and trainability, and a coat that sheds very little.
No. 5: German Shepherd Dog
A loyal, intelligent working dog that needs training, a job to do and plenty of activity.
No. 6: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
A gentle, affectionate small spaniel that adapts to most homes and enjoys both walks and sofas.
No. 7: Yorkshire Terrier
A tiny terrier with a big personality and a fine, silky coat that needs regular grooming.
No. 8: Labrador Retriever
A friendly, food-loving retriever that needs daily exercise and is widely used as an assistance dog.
No. 9: Central Asian Shepherd Dog
A giant livestock guardian at No. 9; the RKF president noted in press reports that interest in larger breeds remains.
No. 10: Jack Russell Terrier
New to the top 10 at No. 10, replacing the Shiba; RKF dog experts quoted in the press say it can live in a city flat if it gets plenty of exercise.
Reading this year’s list
According to the press reports, the first three places have not changed for several years: German Spitz, Chihuahua and Pembroke Welsh Corgi. The biggest move in 2025 was the Poodle, which rose two places to No. 4. At the bottom, the Jack Russell Terrier took tenth place from the Shiba.
Small dogs dominate. The German Spitz, Chihuahua, Corgi, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Yorkshire Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier are all small breeds. In the reports, the RKF president explains this with demand from city residents for dogs that adapt easily to apartment life.
Three large breeds complete the list: the German Shepherd Dog at No. 5, the Labrador Retriever at No. 8 and the Central Asian Shepherd Dog at No. 9. The Central Asian Shepherd, a giant livestock guardian, does not appear in the top 10 of any other country in this section. The RKF president also said that interest in larger breeds remains, which shows owners are ready to take on dogs that need more preparation and training. Of the other lists here, Japan's is the closest match, with a similar focus on toy and small breeds.
About the No. 1 breed: German Spitz
- Size
- Small
- FCI group
- 5 · Spitz and primitive types
- Origin
- Germany
Temperament
German Spitz dogs are lively, alert and very attached to their family. They notice everything, and most bark to announce visitors or unusual sounds, which makes them good watchdogs. They can be wary of strangers. They are clever and learn quickly, but they need early training to keep barking under control, which matters in apartment buildings.
Size and build
A compact dog with a fox-like face, pointed ears, a neck ruff and a tail curled over the back. The FCI standard sets five sizes, from about 18 to 22 cm at the shoulder for the Pomeranian to roughly 43 to 55 cm for the Wolfspitz. The smallest weigh only a few kilograms.
Daily care
Daily walks and play keep a Spitz fit and calm, and the small sizes need less exercise than the large ones. The double coat needs brushing several times a week, and daily during the heavy shed. Do not shave it, as the coat protects against both cold and sun. Snow can collect in the fur, so brush and dry the dog after winter walks. Teach a quiet signal early.
Who it suits
People in apartments or houses who want an alert, affectionate companion and have time for regular grooming. Families with older, gentle children can do well with one. A Spitz is not ideal for owners who want a quiet dog, for homes with toddlers if the dog is very small, or for people who dislike brushing.
Health in general terms
In the smaller sizes, kneecaps that slip out of place (patellar luxation), dental disease and a weak windpipe (tracheal collapse) are known concerns, so many owners use a harness instead of a collar. Some Spitz dogs develop hair loss without itching. Eye problems are also reported. Coughing, limping or patches of lost fur are worth showing to a vet. Ask breeders about the parents' knee and eye checks.
This is general breed information, not medical advice. Ask a veterinarian about your own dog, and ask any breeder about the health tests used for the parents.
Why the German Spitz is popular in Russia
The RKF's explanation for the lead of small breeds such as the German Spitz, as reported in the press, is about housing. The federation's president said that the lead of small breeds reflects the wish of city residents for dogs that adapt easily to apartment conditions. The German Spitz, at the top for several years, fits that description well.
Under the FCI standard, the German Spitz comes in five sizes, from the large Wolfspitz to the tiny Pomeranian. The press reports name the breed only as German Spitz and do not say which sizes are counted. The smaller sizes need little space, are easy to carry and can get much of their exercise indoors. The thick double coat also handles cold winters well, so a Spitz is happy outside even in frost and snow.
What these rankings measure
National kennel club breed rankings are registration rankings, not a census of the dogs living in each country. Only purebred puppies registered with the national kennel club are counted. Mixed-breed dogs, dogs from shelters and most dogs bred outside the club system never appear. Rules and fees differ between clubs, so the numbers are best compared within one country, not across countries.
Useful tools
See also: Eurasian brown bear: National Animal of Russia